He deposed Francisco Macías on 3 August 1979 in a bloody coup d'état. Macías wis placed on trial for his activities ower the previous decade an sentenced tae daith. His activities heid includit the genocide o the Bubi. He wis executit on 29 September 1979 bi firin squad.[1]

Obiang declared that the new government wad mak a fresh stairt frae the repressive measures taken bi Macías' admeenistration. He inheritit a kintra wi an empty treasury an a population that haed dropt tae a third o its 1968 level, wi aboot 50% o the umwhile 1.2 million indwallers haein moved aither tae Spain or tae neighborin African kintras, or bein murthert durin the dictatorship o Obiang's predecessor. He formally assumed the presidency in October 1979.[2]

A new constitution wis adoptit in 1982; at the same time, Obiang wis electit tae a seiven-year term as preses. He wis reelectit in 1989 as the ae candidate. Efter ither pairties wur permittit tae organize, he wis reelectit in 1996 an 2002 wi 98 per cent o the vote[3] in elections condemned as fraudulent bi internaitional observers.[4] Again in 2009 he wis electit wi 97% o the vote amid accusations o fraud an intimidation.[5]

Aw but ane member o the 100-seat naitional parliament belang tae the PDGE or are aligned wi it. The opposition is severely hampered bi the lack o a free press as a vehicle for thair views. Aroond 90% o aw opposition politeecians live in exile, 550 anti-Obiang activists hae been jailed unfairly, an several killed syne 1979.

In Julie 2003, state-operatit radio declared Obiang tae be a god who is "in permanent contact wi the Almighty" an "can decide tae kill athoot onyane cawin him tae accoont an athoot goin tae hell." He personally made seemilar comments in 1993. Despite thir comments, he still claims that he is a devout Catholic an wis invitit tae the Vatican bi John Paul II an again bi Benedict XVI. Macías haed an aa proclaimed himself a god.[8]

Obiang haes encouraged his cult o personality bi ensuring that public speeches end in well-wishin for himself rather than for the republic. Mony important buildings hae a presidential lodge, mony touns an ceeties hae streets commemoratin Obiang's coup against Macías as well as thare bein a penchant amang the population tae wear claes wi his face printit on them.[9][10]

Lik his predecessor an ither African dictators sic as Idi Amin an Mobutu Sese Seko, Obiang haes assigned tae himself several creative titles. Amang them are "gentleman o the great island o Bioko, Annobón an Río Muni."[11] He an aa refers tae hissel as El Jefe (the boss).[12]

Obiang haed a close relationship wi Washington DC-based Riggs Bank. He is said tae hae been welcomed bi tap Riggs officials, who held a luncheon in his honour.[17] (Publicity regarding this relationship wad later contribute tae the downfall o Riggs.[18])